Are you tired of not being paid for the work you do on construction projects? Are you involved in a defect claim or worried about being sued? Are you fed up with leaving money on the table at the end of jobs? Are you looking for a better way to strengthen your legal position, protect your investment, and collect your profits?
Maybe you are wondering if your bidding documents, contracts, and change orders are strengthening your legal position or actually hurting it. Maybe you are having trouble keeping up with the paperwork and legal requirements of each construction project. Maybe you are not getting paid on time or in full for the work you do.
A construction lawyer’s job is to prevent legal problems before they occur and enable you to collect in full the money you’ve earned on each and every project.
Our Law Firm
At our law firm, we believe every contractor and subcontractor needs a construction lawyer that they can depend on, and not just when things get ugly. Our law firm offers a complete set of affordable services that are designed to protect and assert the legal rights of Massachusetts construction professionals.
Whether your legal issues concern construction-related contracts, liens lawsuits, or collections, we can help. Call The Law Offices of Richard Mucci today at 781-729-3999 to arrange a consultation with a knowledgeable and experienced Massachusetts construction attorney
Properly Drafted Construction Contracts and How an Experienced Attorney Can Help
Most contractors make sure they have the right tools for each task they need to complete on their job site. But, at the same time, they will use a universal contract for all of their projects.
A universal contract is a guaranteed way to put your project at risk. Having a tailor-made and properly drafted construction contract for each project is every bit as important as having the right tools to complete the job.
There are things a contract must cover to be in compliance with the law. And the right contract should be maximized to protect your legal rights in case things don’t go as planned.
A construction contract should include commencement dates and substantial completion dates, along with, grounds for time extensions. Furthermore, the scope of the work should be sufficiently defined so that work outside of the scope entitles you to additional payment.
A payment schedule, including the amounts and timing, should be included. And a good contract also supplies remedies in the event of no payment or late payment.
The addition, an attorney’s fee clause can be invaluable if payment is not paid and you are forced to sue or foreclose on a mechanics lien. You may also want to consider an arbitration clause for certain projects.
Depending on the type of project, other critical contract clauses, precise language, and even specific font styles and sizes are required by law to be included in your contract.
For example, a home improvement contract must integrate certain details and any contract on a residential property with four or fewer units has additional specific requirements.
Prime contractors must include strict language that subcontractors can omit. Contracts for new construction must leave space for the owners to insert the name and address of the construction lender. And all contracts must include the contractor’s license number.
A poorly written or cookie-cutter contract can leave you vulnerable to litigation and may jeopardize your license bond or even the license itself. Investing the time and money at the beginning of each project to ensure that your contract is the right one for the job gives you valuable protection and pays big dividends in the event something goes wrong.
Choosing a the Right Massachusetts Construction Lawyer
Who you choose as your Massachusetts construction lawyer will have a great impact on your business. So, when choosing a Massachusetts mortgage construction lawyer, you need to look for someone with good communication skills, and experience in construction-related matters, whom you feel comfortable with, and who will work to protect not only your legal rights but also your time and money.
Here are some important things you should look for during your initial consultation:
- How well does the lawyer listen to you?
- Does the lawyer answer your questions directly, even if the answer is “I don’t know” or “I will find out”?
- Does the lawyer frame legal issues in terms you can understand?
Good communication, both ways, is the foundation of any successful attorney-client relationship.
- Does your lawyer have a broad understanding of your risks?
- Does he or she make the effort to understand your legal issues within the context of your projects and construction business as a whole?
You want to look for an attorney who has a broad understanding of what contractors, subcontractors, and material suppliers face every day.
- Do you feel comfortable being open and honest with the lawyer?
- Do you get the sense that the lawyer wants you to know and understand what’s going on with your case?
- Does the lawyer value your time as much as he or she values their own?
- Will the lawyer visit your job site if need be?
- Does the lawyer know how to leverage your assets to put you in a position of strength?
These are all indicators of how well the lawyer will be able to manage the unique aspects of your particular construction law matter. You want to work with a lawyer who makes you a priority, treats you with respect, and always has your back.
For more information on how we can help you, contact our law firm to arrange a consultation with an experienced and knowledgeable Massachusetts construction lawyer. Call The Law Offices of Richard Mucci today at 781-729-3999 or send us a message via our contact page.